The French media giant will list on the JSE on June 3.
French media giant Canal+ has confirmed that it will list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) on 3 June 2026. This follows the acquisition of MultiChoice, one of Africa's largest service providers.
MultiChoice's acquisition came with strict conditions from South Africa's competition watchdog to ensure a “significant positive impact” on the local economy.
this trick works canal+ The company is the first French company to list on the JSE and is seen as a vote of confidence in the South African capital markets, strengthening the JSE's role as a regional hub for media and technology.
First French company on the JSE
Canal+ has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). JSE listing will be secondary.
Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada said the company has made a solid start to 2026, which marks the beginning of the operational execution phase of their strategy.
“First quarter revenues were broadly flat, with Canal+ up marginally on a historical basis (except MultiChoice), while MultiChoice revenues continued to decline in line with our expectations,” he said in a trading update for the three months ending March 31, 2026.
“In France and Poland, we continue to adhere to strict cost discipline, and we are starting to see the impact of measures introduced last year, without the ambition to increase profitability in Europe.”
Questions have been raised over Canal+'s cost-cutting decisions
Canal+ has created Cost-cutting decisions that have been criticized By many people after taking over MultiChoice. South Africa's competition watchdog was previously summoned to parliament to answer questions over the terms agreed to the MultiChoice acquisition.
The cost-cutting decisions were intended to ensure that DStv's parent company, MultiChoice, was not forced to close itself down. But some of the decisions also included the cancellation of Showmax, one of MultiChoice's streaming platforms. it cost too much.
DStv is also struggling. This has been troubling customers for many years. However, Saada said MultiChoice turnaround strategy on track.
“In Africa, the first initiatives of the MultiChoice turnaround plan have been launched, including strengthening the commercial engine and recruiting new sales teams.”
important milestone
He said listing on the JSE is an important milestone for Canal+, as MultiChoice is providing cost synergies for the group.
“We continue to deliver cost synergies as a result of the acquisition of MultiChoice, consistent with our plans, and we reiterate our full-year 2026 guidance,” Saada said.
“Excluding MultiChoice Group, total Group revenue increased by 41% compared to the first three months of 2025 to €2,169 million, reflecting the significant contribution of the MultiChoice acquisition to the Group’s transformation in scale.
“Group revenue excluding MultiChoice increased 1.8% to €1,567 million, driven primarily by the strong performance of pay-TV in French-speaking Africa and growth in the content production, distribution and others segment.”
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